Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39739405›Full record

ArticlePsycho-oncology2025

Psychosocial Correlates of Death Anxiety in Advanced Cancer: A Scoping Review.

Tyler L Brown, Philippa Chown, Sheldon Solomon, Genevieve Gore, Janet M De Groot, Christopher J MacKinnon, Gary Rodin, Justin J Sanders

Abstract readScoping Review
In one paragraph

Article in Psycho-oncology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
7citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

7 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. How young cancer patients cope with death anxiety: a qualitative study based on terror management theory.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2026
    Article
  5. Article
  6. Training and Recruitment to Implement the CASA Psychosocial Intervention in Cancer Care.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2026
    Article
  7. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Tyler L BrownDepartment of Oncology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9326-9663
Philippa ChownDepartment of Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
Sheldon SolomonDepartment of Psychology, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, New York, USA.
Genevieve GoreSchulich Library of Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, and Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
Janet M De GrootDepartment of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4684-4586
Christopher J MacKinnonMonkland Psychology Clinic, Montreal, Canada.
Gary RodinPrincess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network (UHN), Toronto, Canada.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6626-6974
Justin J SandersDepartment of Family Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesIndividuals living with advanced cancer commonly experience death anxiety, which refers to the distressing thoughts or feelings associated with awareness of one's mortality. Deriving an overview of existing literature on the psychological and social factors linked to death anxiety may inform conceptual models, clinical screening, and intervention strategies in oncology and palliative care. Therefore, the present scoping review was conducted to summarize the current literature on the psychosocial correlates of death anxiety among individuals with advanced cancer.

methodsA comprehensive scoping review methodology was used following the Arksey and O'Malley framework. A literature search was conducted using four electronic databases: CINAHL, Embase, PsycInfo, and MEDLINE. Abstracts and full-text articles were screened, and relevant data were extracted and summarized.

resultsSixteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Seventeen psychosocial correlates of death anxiety were identified, with depression, spiritual well-being, and attachment security representing the most frequently investigated. Four previously tested death anxiety models were also identified, two of which were designed longitudinally.

conclusionsThis review provides a current summary of psychosocial factors and established models related to death anxiety in advanced cancer. Multiple psychosocial correlates should be targeted concurrently in research and clinical practice to address death anxiety. Longitudinal studies designed to test new models are especially needed to identify unique pathways contributing to death anxiety across the disease trajectory of advanced cancer.

Indexed as

AnxietyAttitude to DeathNeoplasmsDepressionHumansPalliative CareSpiritualityadvanced cancercancerdeath anxietyexistential psychologyoncologypalliative carereviewterror management theory

Identifiers

PMID39739405
PMCPMC11686425

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.